What's Up Wednesdays: Keep Running

Every Wednesday, I gather up and share some fun reads from around the web. This week’s collection starts off with Betshopboy and his participation in the Penang 100 Ultramarathon 2014. Many of you may already know about his propensity for running marathons and this is his second “ultra” marathon of the year. He selected the 84km Round Island challenge with many changes in terrain and incline along the way. His total time for the challenge was clocked at 14 hours and 22 minutes.

Both personal and professional lessons can come from the unlikeliest of places. As Kristan Hoffman recently found out, she could actually learn a lot about writing from her wedding. When you’re caught up in so many little details, you must pick your battles carefully as to best utilize your time. Accept help from others, be patient and prepare yourself for all the inevitable problems along the way.

It’s not about the number of places you visit, but the number of memories you make at each destination. Steffani Cameron speaks out against the trend of “quick travels” where people seem like they’re just running around and “collecting airports.” While it is certainly tempting to knock off as many items on your bucket list as possible, it’s far more satisfying to have a great experience in one place than several non-experiences in many places.

One habit I picked up during my travels through Italy was to end my dinners with a little cup of espresso. Coffee can be a good digestif, but it is far more commonly consumed as a means of staying awake. And Darrell Milton is expressing his love for coffee for precisely that reason, explaining how a cuppa joe just may be the ticket to being a good parent. It’s a complicated tale involving his wife, fatigue and natural night owl tendencies. Coffee can indeed be your friend.

And indeed, when we turn to Instagram, Facebook and other social networks, we can see many of our jet-setting friends seemingly having the time of their lives. While it’s easy to get envious of their exploits, Leo Babauta reminds us once again that we should stop comparing ourselves to others. This is true of “upward” jealousy, just as much as it is true of “downward” judgement. Trying to be someone else is a waste of who you are. Appreciate what you have and where you are. Don’t focus on what you might be missing.